Emirates urged its customers to prepare early for their flights next December, taking into account the likelihood of congested roads leading to the airport, full car parks and busy traffic inside the airport during the holiday season.
In a press release on the company's website, it stated that travelers can take advantage of a range of smart and innovative services that offer them a faster and smoother travel experience throughout the peak season in December.
Emirates outlined tips to reduce waiting time at Dubai International Airport during December, including the following:
Arrive Early at the Airport
Emirates advises its customers to be at the airport during December at least 3 hours before their flight departure times, to complete travel procedures and reach the correct departure gate one hour before the flight.
Customers can spend their time at Dubai International Airport, from Emirates lounges to world-class restaurants, cafes, shopping and relaxation areas.
Download the Emirates App and Check In Online
Emirates customers can download the Emirates app to easily get flight details on their mobile phones, check in 48 hours before the flight, and obtain a digital boarding pass for most destinations.
They can also receive instant notifications about flight times, see the meals served on board, pre-order a hot meal in Business Class, book a chauffeur-drive service, and even browse and select their favorite entertainment content in advance.
Customers can now also use the Emirates app to register for the biometric path at Dubai International Airport, a process that takes only a few minutes and enables them to pass quickly through smart gates, board biometrically through Emirates gates and enter Emirates lounges biometrically. Customers can also check in via Emirates.com 48 hours before departure.
Check In and Drop Off Bags at the Travel Store in DIFC
Save time at the airport and head to the check-in center experience at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). Customers can check in and drop off their bags free of charge between 24 hours and 4 hours before their flight, with free parking.
Each traveler, including children, also receives 2,500 Skywards Miles when checking in between December 15 and January 15, meaning a family of 4 can earn 10,000 Miles. The store operates from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., and its operating hours will be extended until midnight from December 15 to January 15.
Customers can also check in in advance at the Emirates office in Ajman, which operates 24 hours a day and is located at Ajman Central Bus Station, from as early as 24 hours and up to 4 hours before the flight's departure.
Drop Off Bags at the Airport 24 Hours Before Departure
Emirates customers can save space in their cars and reduce tasks on the day of travel by dropping off their bags at the airport the night before their flight free of charge. Travelers departing from Dubai can check in and drop off their bags 24 hours before their flight, or 12 hours before if the flight is to the United States. This way, on the day of travel, they can head straight to passport control at the airport.
Emirates customers in Dubai and Sharjah can also choose the home check-in service, where Emirates staff complete the check-in process at the customer's home, hotel or office and transport the bags to the airport.
Travelers can book this service at least 24 hours before the flight, and Emirates advises its customers to book the service early. The home check-in service is free for First Class passengers and Emirates Skywards Platinum members.
Make Sure Your Baggage Meets Emirates Requirements
Emirates urges its customers to pay attention while packing their bags and to comply with the dangerous goods policy. Among the most notable new guidelines, only one power bank with a capacity not exceeding 100 Wh is allowed, and its capacity specifications must be clearly shown on the product. The power bank must also be placed in the seat pocket or in hand baggage, and it is not allowed in checked baggage.
Smart bags are allowed in the cabin only if the battery is removable and switched off and the bag is within the size and weight limits permitted for cabin baggage.
E-cigarettes, including e-cigars, e-pipes, portable electric incense devices and any personal vaporizers containing batteries, must also be carried safely to prevent accidental activation, and they are allowed only in hand baggage.
Pre-Order From Duty Free
Travelers who wish to save more time can pre-order the inflight shopping service via EmiratesRED.com and enjoy buying exclusive duty-free products, which are then delivered to their seats in the air.
The pre-order service is available on most flights, as travelers can pre-order their purchases from 21 days up to 40 hours before their flight, providing their flight details so that the cabin crew can deliver the purchases directly to the passenger's seat on board.
The Emirates RED Winter 2025 catalog includes more than 300 products from global brands such as Hermès, Cartier, Tom Ford, Creed and Jo Malone, and customers who pre-order can use the promo code RED10 to get a 10% discount.
Additional Support for Accessible Travel
Emirates has launched the Accessible Travel Hub on its website Emirates.com, a comprehensive hub that provides all information related to accessible and inclusive travel through an easy-to-use interface that allows customers to quickly access services tailored to their needs.
The hub includes a wide range of tools and services, including requesting special assistance during travel, an autism-friendly travel guide, exploring the Dubai International Airport map and sensory guides, the "Be My Eyes" service to support people with visual impairments, and applying for the Sanad tourist card to benefit from accessible services in Dubai.
In addition, there are guidelines for traveling with wheelchairs and mobility aids, travel guidelines for families and children, traveling during pregnancy, traveling with special medical conditions and travel for unaccompanied minors, along with many other services that ensure a comfortable and inclusive travel experience for everyone.
Use the Transport Options Available Inside the Airport
Upon arrival at the airport, travelers can use a variety of free transport options to move easily and quickly between the airport's various facilities:
Train: available free of charge for travel between Concourse A and Concourse B in Terminal 3.
Buses: Emirates provides a free shuttle bus service between Concourse A and Concourse C operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The bus departs every 20 minutes, and the journey also takes about 20 minutes. Pick-up and drop-off points are clearly marked at the transfer desks.
Electric buggies: First Class customers can use Emirates' private electric buggies, available on request throughout the airport, while Dubai Airports' buggies, known as "Dubai Taxi," are available to all customers free of charge, with priority for people of determination, the elderly and families with children.
To view the post on the Emirates website, click here.
